Frank Bates vs. Freddie Fitzsimmons — Career Comparison

Freddie Fitzsimmons built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Freddie Fitzsimmons posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.51 and WHIP 1.297 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Freddie Fitzsimmons had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.